Pelach 'disappointed' by 'deflection goal' defeat

Narcis Pelach has so far won three of his 15 matches in charge of Stoke City

Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach says he was "disappointed" to lose at storm-lashed Sunderland to such a late, deflected winning goal.

Teenager Tommy Watson's second goal of the game just four minutes from time leaves the Potters now winless in five, having lost their past two - and they have dropped a place to 15th in the Championship, just four points clear of danger.

Stoke now head to Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night to face Luton Town - on the first anniversary of Alex Neil's departure from the club, since when Steven Schumacher and Pelach, so far, have both failed to find a regular winning formula.

Pelach's 20% win rate of one victory every five games (three from 15) is worse than both Neil's 33% (22 wins from 66 games) and Schumacher's 40% (13 wins from 32 games).

High-riding Sunderland could have won by a much larger margin on Saturday, having hit the post, denying Watson what would have been a hat-trick, as well as having 10 efforts on target to Stoke's three.

"They had a lot of shots," said Pelach. "They are a good side. In the final third, they have presence, they switch the ball fast and have wingers who can do damage in one-on-one situations. We had people blocking shots. A lot of bodies.

"But I'm disappointed because we conceded the first goal just after we had scored. It's a situation we can avoid. We just need to win the ball in the air. He's competing for the ball in the air and no one went for it.

"We could have taken something from the game because at times we were good on the ball, trying to attack them and accelerate through the middle. We had our chances and moments as well.

"But I'm disappointed because we lost at the very end with a deflection goal."